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The decision to buy solar panels is a large step, taken by many, to start saving money on their utility bills. The tiles are powered by the sun’s energy and heat, enabling the residents to use electricity. When a person wants to buy solar panels, this is often due to steep increases in electric bills. The use of solar energy allows the homeowner to pay much less for energy. The customer can even make extra money by selling excess energy to the utility companies. Through this type of purchase, many people have become free of utility charges and companies.

When choosing a company to purchase the boards, one would want to ask many questions in order to get the best priced, as well as the most efficient, materials possible. The most commonly asked question is in regards to the efficiency of the panes and which has the highest. The highest efficiency can be calculated rather quickly, simply by comparing the results of each company’s product under realistic conditions. The customers can also inquire about the offered photovoltaic or PV boards to find the best ones available. Though these are good concerns to have, they may not always help buy solar panels of the very best quality.

One could determine the best one to purchase by speaking with the companies more thoroughly, especially if one decides to buy solar panels online. For instance, inquiries to the business’ amount of systems that are currently active will tell the popularity of their product. This will also indicate if they are a reliable company that people prefer to do business with. They should have at least 50 systems available. Finding an experienced company is necessary as the system needs to be set up for optimum energy absorption.

The company should also offer warranties of at least 25 years. This is because the higher quality boards average at least 90% of their output after the first 10 years, lowering to 80% after 25 years. This is usually the deciding factor when considering if the output is enough for the price. Often, the more affordable brands display a higher output than the larger brands.

Finally, one should consider the overall price. This total should include the labor required for installation, as well as the materials and planning. Once this one time price is paid, the customer is then free of electrical companies and can even make money from them instead.

The main benefit of purchasing these products is the savings. The panels quickly pay for themselves, as they provide large savings on utilities, particularly as many states and regions offer financial incentives to offset the initial outlay. Many customers often have their money back by the fifth year. The customer can also sell excessive energy they collect to the electric companies for a profit. The panels raise the value of households, as well as look stylish on the roof.

When one wants to buy solar panels, it is important to consider multiple factors in order to get the highest quality. For instance, the boards’ efficiency determines the amount of energy it can collect. When purchasing the system with the highest efficiency, one must also consider the amount of output expectancy as well as the pricing.

Opening large utility bills each month often leads homeowners to try to improve energy efficiency in their home. Many times this task is ignored out of fear of having to spend thousands on new appliances or alternative energy setups. However, there are many minor adjustments that can be made throughout almost every area of one’s home to decrease power expenditures and increase utility effectiveness.

Numerous methods for gaining better energy efficiency require only minor adjustments around the house. Homeowners should switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs for starters. They use seventy-five percent less electricity and last ten times as long as traditional bulbs. Installing programmable thermostats greatly improves the output of one’s HVAC system. Turning the thermostat lower or completely off during work hours helps save the average homeowner close to two hundred dollars a year.

Many buildings are equipped with electric or oil furnaces. These can easily be converted to natural gas. Many homeowners ask themselves, "how can I switch to natural gas"? Sixty percent of homes in America are reported to use natural gas as the most cost efficient source for heating. Natural gas systems operate at ninety-five to ninety-eight percent effectiveness while oil and electric systems can only operate at eighty-seven percent effectiveness at the most. Natural gas systems last for twenty years or more and offer home owners up to a fifty percent increase in energy efficiency. Fifty to seventy percent of utilities are used to either heat or cool a home. This can be brought to lower than thirty-five percent if the proper insulation is installed. Re-insulating the furnace, attic, and between the walls helps homes retain heat during the winter and refract heat during the summer. Properly insulating around a home’s air ducts alone will increase energy effectiveness by twenty percent.

Two other major areas energy efficiency can be gained are cutting back on water usage and implementing solar technologies. A great starting point is the water heater. Many heaters are set at about one hundred-forty degrees. Turning the heater between one hundred-twenty and one hundred-thirty degrees will gain an extra five percent in utility efficiency. Installing faucet aerators rated at 2.75 gallons per minute or lower and low-flow shower heads will earn an additional two to five percent in effectiveness and cut down on waste. The majority of older water heaters can be wrapped in extra insulation which lessens heating time and slows the cooling process. Furnace conversion for oil, natural gas, or electric water heaters to solar heaters can save customers several hundred dollars each year. Solar water heaters raise water temperature at the same rate as other fuel systems and still provide hot water during power outages. In addition to a thermal water heater, a large amount of utility efficiency can be achieved by converting to a solar furnace. A solar furnace will help homeowners save up to thirty-three percent on the home’s total utility output.

Another option is a PV system and geothermal pump. This produces the same energy as a traditional solar furnace at half the cost. This system also produces the same power as natural gas at a quarter of the cost, and coal and oil systems at only a tenth of the operating cost. Following these easy to implement steps around the house or installing an alternative power system will help drastically improve energy efficiency.

One of the most important tasks of commercial and residential building owners is achieving higher energy savings. Building owners need to retain costs without implementing expensive experimental power sources. Residential and commercial owners can use the latest solar and natural gas technologies to provide immense savings without wasting thousands on up-front expenses.

One of the quickest ways to accomplish energy savings is making one’s existing fuel system work at maximum efficiency. Many building owners have begun switching to natural gas as their main source of electricity and heating. Natural gas is the cleanest burning and most versatile fossil fuel available. The most common use of natural gas is to generate electricity. A reported twenty percent of U.S. homes use natural gas. More than eighty-three percent of the fuel is produced in the U.S. and Canada. Over the last five years the cost of coal and oil has risen to double that of natural gas.

Energy savings strategies can also be achieved by furnace conversions. A furnace converted to solar power helps home owners retain several hundred dollars and see a fifteen to fifty percent decrease in energy expenditures annually. Utility expenditures can also lessened by installing high efficiency insulation. Places that should be insulated or reinsulated around a building are areas like the garage, basement, attic, between the walls, and around air ducts. The best insulations are cellulose, fiberglass, mineral wool, and foam plastics. Cellulose insulation is one of the most efficient types available, as well as being the easiest to retrofit. Small entry ports are drilled into the existing structure and completely filled with the new insulation from there. This is also the easiest type of insulation to fit around many types of obstructions.

Energy savings into the thousands can be achieved throughout the lifespan of a home by converting to solar power. Earth absorbs an average yearly total of 3,880,000 exajoules. This means that in just one hour, the earth absorbs more energy from the sun than the world uses in one year. The two classifications of solar technologies are passive and active. Passive technologies use the surrounding climate, building materials, landscape, and architecture to harness the sun’s radiation. Passive technologies include selecting building materials with an ideal thermal mass and using natural hills to provide shade to a building. Solar architecture includes all passive technology implementation techniques. Solar architecture also involves the integration of thermal panels, collectors, and solar power systems into the natural architecture of commercial and residential buildings. Active solar technologies capture, store, and use solar radiation directly as a power and heating source. Solar heating uses thermal panels to collect solar heat. This technology can be used for heating in commercial and residential buildings or help create electricity for an entire production plant.

Solar photovoltaic systems use thermal panels to convert solar radiation directly into electricity. This means the power harnessed can be used instantly, stored, or fed into a power grid of any size. Solar thermal electricity employs high end thermal collectors like mirrors or lenses to capture and convert solar radiation more efficiently than PV systems. Increasing the efficiency of one’s existing fuel system while implanting as much solar power as possible will earn any homeowner undeniable energy savings.

Home solar power is an alternative energy solution that can convert sun cells into an electrical current that can be used to power a residence. There are two types of active home solar power systems: liquid based and air based. The liquid based heats water (or an antifreeze solution) in a hydronic revenue, while the air based system heats air inside an air collector. Both of these systems absorb radiation and move it to the inside of the building. Oftentimes, these systems are tax exempt, and can earn extra cash for the user.

The use of home solar power can save, as well as earns, money in the long-run. The energy from the sun is infinite and free, allowing one to power their household by 10,000 times the energy they would receive from utility companies. The cash spent on such systems can be repaid within a few years of use through savings on electric bills alone. However, some people have earned money back by selling excess electricity to utility providers. These can also lower yearly bills by 80%, and allows for independence from electric companies. These are huge returns on something that has a one-time cost, and pays for itself in a few years.

The advantages are large as well, taking in to account recent drops in price. Home solar power is reliable and uses a renewable resource, as the sun is almost always shining to provide electricity when needed. A way to collect the energy has been devised in order to also have electricity at night, by storing away solar cells in batteries during the day that can be used when the sun goes down. The best solar panels are easy enough to maintain, as they only require cleaning once a year to remove dirt, and simple to install if using a professional. The systems are less expensive than in past years, lasting at least thirty years and the only price to pay is for the system itself. They are environmentally friendly, as they do not produce noxious fumes that infect the air.

Recent price cuts have made home solar power even more affordable for residential and commercial buildings. What use to cost over $2.00 per watt is now only 80 cents a watt. This is a large slash in price, as it used to cost thousands to purchase and install, and would take over ten years to recover the investment. With the price lowered as much as they have been, it now only takes five years or so to get a return on the investment. These investments are even better, because with the batteries one could have excess electricity to auction off to electric companies.

With the price cuts, as well as the potential to earn money from utility companies, this is an investment many people are making, whether they are attempting to power their company or their home. Though it was more expensive in the past, it is much more affordable now to purchase these systems. The benefits are many, and this is why many people are opting for this type of renewable energy.

Solar energy is quickly becoming a popular form of energy production, thus it is important to understand how solar power works. The process begins when sunlight is absorbed and converted to energy by photovoltaic (PV) cells. These cells can be linked to create panels, and panels can be linked together to create arrays. PV arrays can collect enough sunlight to provide enough electricity to an entire household. They can be made from three different cells: moncrystalline, polycrystalline, or amorphous silicon. Monocrystalline are the most efficient with the highest concentration of silicon per unit. Amorphous cells have the least amount of silicon, making them the less productive. Polycrystalline panels fall in between the monocrystalline and amorphous silicon cells. Different cells serve different purposes. For instance, amorphous silicon panels are light-weight, and can be used to make peel-and-stick panels and placed on flat roofs or on tracking devices.

With a basic understanding of how solar power works, it is time to know how the system is installed. First, the positioning of the panels is vital. If they are not positioned to absorb the most sunshine, they will not work to meet their full potential. Research shows panels not facing true south lose 15-20% in productivity. Likewise, shading and light obstructions also prove to be problematic by reducing energy production. When discussing these issues with installation experts, think over potential shading issues from trees, buildings, lines, telephone poles, chimneys, etc. The smallest shadow can prove detrimental to the efficiency of how a solar power system works.

Another item to consider can be installing a PV structure on a flat roof. To have the panels slanting south, installers may build a weighted, slanted structure on the roof. This may require a building permit. In these situations, contractors may recommend homeowners use a peel-and-stick panel on flat roofs. Peel-and-stick panels can also be attached to a pole. This system will also include a tracking device, allowing for the panels to follow the sun’s track throughout the sky, exposing them to the most light and produce as much energy as possible.

With a better understanding of how solar power works, the benefits of PV energy become apparent. There is also the monetary incentive. After the initial cost of installing the system itself, there is no cost in its upkeep. Though, occasionally, one may have to brush leaves off or wash the panels. There will not be many costs associated with producing energy at home; just the need of sunlight and panels. There is another financial advantage. Depending on how much is produced, there may be remaining energy from the day put into the electric grid. The electric company will credit the homeowner for this energy. If the time comes that one does not have enough solar electricity stored from the PV system, one can access the electric grid. That cost will be partially covered, if not entirely covered, by previously earned credit.

Additionally, not only can the homeowner be saving themselves the hassle of paying repeated electric bills, but they can be reimbursed for installation costs. The Federal Energy Act of 2005 included provisions for a 30% tax credit on federal income taxes for anyone who installs a PV system before January 01, 2016. There is also the environment-friendly choice. With an understanding of how solar power works and its benefits, it seems practical to have one installed onto one’s home.

Soluxe Solar offers installation of solar roof systems nationwide including: Suffolk County, Westchester County, NY, Fairfield County and the surrounding New York area as well as Connecticut and New Jersey.

Lower utility bills are in reach of any homeowner that is committed to improving efficiency and doing some upgrades to the home’s infrastructure. There are many ways to achieve this, and while many of them are simple, there are some more extensive changes a homeowner can make to the house to secure energy independence and greener power. With the federal government and multiple state governments pouring money into incentives and tax breaks for those with a renewable power system, it’s becoming a realistic option for many families.
The easiest ways to lower utility bills are to replace inefficient devices in the house with better performing varieties. Switching out tungsten light bulbs with compact fluorescent lighting can save $50 over the life of the bulb, and they last much longer. Kitchen appliances are big drains on the building’s power, and any improvement made in this area can reap larger rewards. Some appliances are positively rated by EnergyStar, an EPA-sponsored program that reviews devices and recognizes those that use less energy than comparable models. Replacing inefficient models with these will be a big help for a budget-minded homeowner.
Climate control in a house is one of the most common sites of inefficiency, and switching out the traditional in-duct system with a ductless system, or replacing the thermostat with an upgraded programmable thermostat will lower utility bills significantly. Most in-duct setups are plagued with leaks, allowing air that has already been cooled or heated to escape through seams in the ductwork. Because of this, as much as 25 percent of the energy used by the furnace or a/c can be lost through leakage. This is a rather large percentage, as climate control usually accounts for around half of a home’s total power usage. A ductless system eschews these issues by connecting unobtrusive wall-mounted units to a compressor that sits outside. These setups use zone climate controlling to target where heating or cooling is needed the most. This means lower utility bills and less waste.

Perhaps the most radical changes a homeowner can make in the search for extra efficiency is to have a solar or geothermal system installed on the building. In the past, many have been tentative to jump into renewable power because of its price, but multiple tax breaks and incentives, along with improved manufacturing, can reduce the cost by half. Many installers are willing to finance the rest, and once it is paid off, the homeowner can enjoy free power for the lifetime of the panels. Seeing as newer models can last for decades before giving out, and the payback period for the photovoltaic system is around five years, this means lower utility bills will be a reality for many years.
Geothermal systems are a little different, and don’t generate power like solar systems do. Instead, they use piping that runs deep into the Earth’s surface to areas of heat. Water is run through these pipes and picks up the heat as it travels deep into the Earth. On its way back, it can deliver hot water and heated air for climate control purposes. This will lower electrical costs significantly, and do it without harming the environment.

Some types of solar electricity have been used for thousands of years, even though the method was quite different than the methods used today. Those who lived many centuries ago in Greece and Italy used the sun to harden substances to make their homes, heat them and even provide light inside.They also used the sun in a passive way to reflect off of shields that were made of bronze so that the rays were focused on enemy ships in an effort to set them on fire.However, it wasn’t until 1767 that the first device to collect and store sunlight was devised by Horace de Saussure, a Swiss scientist.

In 1839 the discovery of photovoltaic energy was made by the French scientist Edmond Becquerel.In 1876 it was discovered that light could be transferred into energy through the use of metal.Finally, in 1883, Charles Fritts came up with the first cell that would lead the march to present day solar electricity.By the turn of the century, there had been an application made for the world’s first sun powered water heater.

It would be well into the middle of the twentieth century before solar electricity really began to catch the attention of the world.Part of this was because it was very cost prohibitive.It was entirely too expensive for the average household to consider this as a viable option.In 1958, this energy was harnessed to power the radios that were used during the launch of the Vanguard satellite.

It wasn’t until 1972 that this technology was used in a home to power it completely with solar electricity.This took place in Delaware, which is also where the first solar panels would be made years later.In 1976 NASA began to power many of their facilities in different countries with this sustainable energy.They used it to power refrigeration units, lights in buildings, communication systems and many other types of applications.

Since the early 1980s, many types of vehicles and planes have made use of solar electricity.Even the International Space Station benefitted from the use of these panels.

Today, the power of the sun is harnessed and used for just about any type of project that energy is normally used for, including powering vehicles and being responsible for one hundred percent of the power that a home or office uses.The hard work and dedication of all of the scientists and those in the energy industry resulted in a sustainable energy that will never fail.It is this energy generation that is the bright hope for the future. Many homeowners across the United States are seeing the benefits of relying on a constant source of energy, rather than fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal.Cleaner types of energy that are renewable and sustainable are what people are focusing on today, and the recent affordability of solar panels is making it possible for every household. The benefits of this type of energy will be seen for many years to come.

Soluxe Solar offers installation of solar roof systems nationwide including: Suffolk County, Westchester County, NY, Fairfield County and the surrounding New York area as well as Connecticut and New Jersey.

Because of the complexity of solar panel installation, it should only be performed by professionals. In many cases, the rebates and other incentive programs that exist for the consumer require that the job be done by a company that is authorized to install a photovoltaic system. There are many electrical problems that could result in someone not doing the wiring and other aspects correctly. This is why it should never be regarded as a do-it-yourself type of project.

Whenever a home owner or a business owner inquires about solar panel installation, there are steps that must be followed by a professional company. Once a licensed contractor has been chosen, they will have to come to the site to see exactly where the system will be required to be located. While most packages are installed on the roof, this is not always the optimal area. In order for the modules to collect an adequate amount of sunlight, there must be a clear surface area free of obstructions. Sometimes a home isn’t facing the right direction or there are other situations such as hills that require that the modules be located somewhere else other than the roof.

During this examination, the contractor will be able to tell the home owner how big the system will need to be in order to supply the necessary amount of solar power generation. Some home owners want to be completely non-reliant on the power company while others want to provide a percentage of their own power and still receive back up power from the electric company. This information will also allow the contractor to give the home owner an estimate on the price of the full solar panel installation.

Also during this survey, the contractor will ask questions of the home owner concerning what their current monthly electrical expenses are in order to come up with the right sized system to continue the usage that the home is accustomed to using.
The contractor needs to know the size of the system because each module or panel can only generate so much electricity. Therefore, if the home owner wants more power then they will need more modules which in turn will increase both the size and cost of the system.

The contractor can also explain to home owners that not only is the investment into solar panel installation going to be rewarding in savings, but it also provides a tax break in many states as well as being part of a rebate program in some states as well, such as CT solar reabates. On top of that, some states participate in a program called net metering that allows the consumer to sell any unused electricity they generate back to the electric company for a credit on their electric bill.

The incentives are clearly there to make the switch. Solar panel installation can be done rather quickly, within two to four days in most cases. Then the home owner can have the ability to generate their own power and save money while doing so.

While brainstorming home improvement projects, consideration should be given to the addition of solar panels.Not only do they offer a positive impact on the environment, there are financial benefits both now and in the future, as well as gaining independence from utility companies while maintaining reliability. With companies readily available to install panels and the affordability in which they have recently gained, it is a wise economical decision all property owners should explore.

We live on a solar fueled planet, so investing in this commodity makes financial sense.Living green is a topic at many dinner tables these days, with topics ranging from composting to recycling.With the tools to utilize the sun’s energy becoming so affordable, most homeowners or business owners are within reach of obtaining their own solar panels.The investment is just that, an investment, not a second mortgage.Though the price of gasoline, food and insurance continues to rise, just the opposite is happening in the renewable energy market.Solar prices have come down significantly over the past few years, making panels much more affordable for the middle class.When comparing the current rate for product and installation versus the next few years of utility bills, the savings are unparalleled.It is definitely worth taking a look at this option.

There is an unlimited amount of natural resources available in the sun.There is no government control over the usage of sun power.With the use of the best solar panels, that resource can be used for an indefinite amount of time.When professionally installed by a trained technician, maximum exposure can be guaranteed. All that is required is enough roof space for the panels as well as exposure to the southern skies and any business or resident can invest in the installation. The installation time is short and non-evasive.Once installed, they are out of sight and out of mind, until that first utility bill shows a zero balance, or possibly even a credit. There is even the possibility of giving back to the community by returning power to the local grid. Some states will pay customers to return excess power, which can then add to the investment value of the system.

As for gaining energy independence, if an unexpected event causes damage to a power company’s transformer, numerous customers in the area experience power outages that can last minutes to days on end until the necessary repairs are completed. Producing one’s own energy source offers independence from larger utility companies who also control pricing and potential usage. As the economy continues to suffer, prices continue to rise.The competition is often nonexistent, so switching companies to get a better deal is not always feasible.Businesses and residents are also subject to uncontrolled rolling black outs due to the economic hardship the utility companies are suffering from.Installing Solar panels removes homeowners and business owners from the grid, therefore avoiding any outages completely as they are relying on the system that harnesses the unending energy flow from the sun.

There is a better solution within reach to be more ecologically friendly, free from the restraints of power companies and still maintain the reliability everyone has come to expect. Solar panels are a home improvement project well worth looking into for both homeowners and business owners. These systems have been around since 1954, producing cleaner energy using natural resources.A qualified technician is only a phone call away to get started.

Soluxe Solar offers installation of solar roof systems nationwide including: Suffolk County, Westchester County, NY, Fairfield County and the surrounding New York area as well as Connecticut and New Jersey.

Deciding to purchase and install solar power systems provides numerous benefits to the purchaser and property owner. There are a variety of styles allowing the purchaser to customize the need and cost to the property. Two of the most popular types of units are off-grid units and grid-tie units. Other highly prized types include hybrid units, wind power units, marine or RV units, well or pump units, and backup energy units.

With solar prices at an all time low, property owners are choosing to save money and earn independence by making a purchase that continues providing affordable energy solutions for decades to come. Whether the property owner decides to purchase off grid units or units that tie into the grid, a professional installer maximizes the potential of the unit allowing the purchaser to simply make an investment that provides an exceptional return on investment in short order.

Price will depend on the estimated amount of energy necessary for the property to continue functioning on a monthly basis. Therefore, the price of the solar power systems will differ between a weekend retreat and a residential property. In addition, prices will vary depending on whether the property is going to utilize an off-grid unit or a grid-tie unit.

What is an off-grid unit?

An off-grid unit provides the ultimate in freedom for the purchaser. The property becomes its own utility company, storing any excess energy for times when the sun isn’t shining. Having the right equipment ensures that the property owner has a continuous supply of energy. Again, the type of solar power systems needed to provide a continuous supply of energy will depend on the size of the property and the lifestyle of the property occupants.

With an off-grid unit, an inverter connects to batteries and photovoltaic panels, converting DC energy to the needed AC energy utilized by most household appliances. However, most households use 12 volts, 24 volts, and 48 volts. Knowing an estimation of how much energy the property needs to function allows the property owner to purchase the right solar power systems. Incorrect sizes will not make a good investment either, as they will not provide enough energy or will waste the energy that is generated.

What is a grid-tie unit?

A photovoltaic unit that actually interties with a local utility grid provides the property owner with an affordable energy solution that can actually make the property owner money. By purchasing a grid-tied unit, an inverter and a monitoring panel, the property owner purchases needed energy and the excess energy is sold back to the utility company. However, if the energy produced is not enough to maintain the property, the utility company can provide the necessary energy at a price.

There are options that allow a property owner to purchase the best solar power systems for the need. Whether the property owner purchases and installs a premade package or chooses to customize the unit, having the ideal unit for the property helps provide a continuous supply of needed energy. In addition, superior units can be added at a later date, allowing for the units to actually grow with the property.

Soluxe Solar offers installation of solar roof systems nationwide including: Suffolk County, Westchester County, NY, Fairfield County and the surrounding New York area as well as Connecticut and New Jersey.